The MOTHERHOOD diaries: My first year
When my husband and I first brought Alisa home from the hospital, we were filled with so many different emotions. We were more than a little overwhelmed.
I remember sitting with my husband and my parents in the kitchen and she was next to us in her lounge chair sleeping. I was looking at her and my heart wasn’t beating in excitement, I was doomed…wondering why on earth we ever decided to have a baby.
Neither of us had ever held a newborn, let alone changed a dirty diaper, and once the wonderful world of sleep deprivation took its hold on us, the most basic tasks started to feel impossible. The fear started to crawl and now I was falling into the depression state. I was scared. I didn’t know what to expect and how my life will look like from now on, it felt like my life was over.
Then the reality kicked in. I didn’t love the early days. The first few nights at home are so very hard. Phew. Just so hard. I don’t know how in the world my partner and I ever make it out alive, and still together.
She was not a good sleeper and also not a good eater (still is), 1+1 = exhausting /horror/rough life. I hated myself back then because I wasn’t in control anymore. I wasn’t happy or joyful. I was sad. Sad to say goodbye to freedom, to living on a whim, to being who I was. I couldn’t go wherever/whenever I wanted to, I couldn’t eat when I wanted, I couldn’t sleep when I wanted, I actually barely slept at all for the first year and it summed up, I ended up being in how they called it “baby blues” (not “postpartum depression”, don’t confuse these two as there is a huge difference).
Also, I thought something is wrong with me because I didn’t feel that unconditional love everyone is chipping about. I felt a sense of “mama bear” over the tiny human but there wasn’t that instant firework show that everyone thinks will happen. One day, you’ll see your kids playing in the yard and think “how amazing are these little people”. But that comes with all the hard work you put in. Now I love them more and more each day and I live for their morning smiles!
Having a newborn was nothing like I thought it was going to be. We all have visions of life with a new baby. When you played dolls, your dolls only cried if you pretended they did. I thought it was going to be feeding, cuddles, lots of sleep, and diaper changes. I fast realized how much babies are capable of crying, how hard your own babies cry hurts your heart, and how emotional I became due to hormonal changes after giving birth. I didn’t think I would need help from my mom, but boy was I wrong.
I was daydreaming how I open my eyes and everything would disappear, I would wake up and realize it was just a dream, a bad dream.
I remember I was so happy when either my parents or Sasha could be with Alisa and I had a chance to go to the shower. Remember me staying there under running water with closed eyes thinking “WTF… How I ended up here?” and for 5-10 minutes I was daydreaming how I open my eyes and everything would disappear, I would wake up and realize it was just a dream, bad dream.
I was looking forward to those “shower times” as this was the only time I felt normal again. And could for 10 minutes just relax and be there for myself.
Every weekend when we gave Alisa to my parents I thought of the old days and planned lots of activities, friend gatherings, and parties. The reality – we were both sleeping by 9 pm after watching some series on Netflix and eating baaaaaaad staff.
Wine became my best friend. No, we still didn’t meet in the mornings, I’m ok with coffee for now but there were some days I even were thinking about welcoming vodka at 9 am.
I hated nights. Because I was so scared to go to bed…Like really cold feet scared. Because I knew that no matter how badly I want to sleep I will not… Did I mention before Alisa wasn’t a good sleeper? 🙂 And as soon as I was falling asleep she would wake up, me trying to get her back to sleep, nursing (did I mention she was a bad eater??), rocking, wtfing and other creepy stuff you do to make your baby fall asleep. But as soon as I got her into the crib she would wake up again and let’s repeat the same for 10 times a night for another 6 months… But then I decide to talk to other mommies, how smart am I? Huh? 🙂 Thanks god this idea came to me before my kid turned 30… And for the first time in my life I’ve heard about sleep training.
Since that day my life changed. My baby was still waking up at night but now I was just waiting for her to fall back asleep on her own, sometimes not even fully waking up myself. Everything fell apart after our trip to Minsk, where we had to share the bed and co-sleep, my baby wasn’t the same after that and didn’t want to sleep on her own ever since. But this is another story.
Can you imagine my feelings when I’ve got pregnant with our second child?.. I’ve cried. And can’t really say because I was happy. But I didn’t think of abortion as well. I just thought it shouldn’t get worse than it was. And you know I was right. It didn’t. Moreover, I’ve become whole again. With the second child you already know the consequences of motherhood, you know you’re dumped and can’t have your life back as it was before, so you just accept the reality and start to learn to use lemons life gives you to make lemonade. With the second child, you’re experienced! Oh yeh! SO much of experience LOL! But anyway, it’s easier. You already were pooped or peed over, you had colicy baby at least for a day, you saw tantrums, you’re ok with drinking in the first half of the day, and you’re a pro at sleeping no more than 3 hours at night and still don’t have an urge to kill people (at least you good at pretending that you don’t).
Now I know you won’t believe me, but I enjoyed newborn-hood with subsequent children. By the birth of my second, I actually enjoyed it. My second was better, better delivery, better sleeper, better eater. The First 6 months was rough, exhausting, but now, Dobby is free! My kids start to play with each other, they beat each other, not me :))) and as time passes it will be easier and easier. I’ll be honest and say that in my opinion, the older the kids get, the more fun they are.
I can say I’m thankful for our unexpected surprise in face of my second child. And I’m thankful to Alisa for making me a mama. I love my two elves no matter how hard it was for me to accept my new “mom” role and no matter how hard it will be to go with them through their toddler/teen tantrums in the future.
I have a confession to make, but first, let’s talk about boundaries…
The importance of self-care for mothers. This post is about the importance of caring for oneself as a mother. It offers practical tips for self-care, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and setting boundaries. So be sure to read till the end. Being a mother is a demanding and challenging role, and it can be easy for mothers to neglect their own needs and focus solely on the needs of their children. However, self-care is essential for mothers to maintain their physical, emotional, and mental health and to be able to care for their children effectively. Self-care can take many forms, including exercise, relaxation, setting boundaries, and finding time for hobbies and interests. It’s essential for mothers to make self-care a priority and to schedule it into their daily routine. For example, exercise can improve physical health, boost mood, and reduce stress. Setting boundaries is also a crucial aspect of self-care for mothers. Unfortunately, mothers often feel guilty for putting their own needs first. Still, it’s important to remember that setting boundaries are essential for maintaining healthy relationships and avoiding burnout. Self-care also includes taking care of one’s emotional and mental health. This can be done by finding ways to relax and de-stress. Again, there are many options: meditation, yoga, journaling, engaging in activities that bring joy and pleasure, and even taking time to get outside and walk by yourself – no kids, no hubby, just you, can also contribute to emotional well-being. Lastly, mothers need to seek support when needed. This can be through professional help, such as therapy or counseling, or a support group of other mothers.Today let’s talk about “SETTING BOUNDARIES”: Setting Boundaries: The Importance of Saying “No” As a mother, balancing your family’s needs with your own can be challenging. Often, you find yourself saying “yes” to everything, even when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed. You might feel guilty for saying “no” or worry that you’re letting people down. However, setting boundaries is essential for your well-being and the well-being of your family. This post will explore boundaries, why they’re crucial, and how to start putting them. What are boundaries? Boundaries are guidelines for yourself and others about acceptable behavior and what is not. It is a crucial aspect of self-care for mothers. When we set boundaries, we communicate our needs and values to others and create a healthy balance between caring for ourselves and others. Boundaries can be physical, emotional, or mental. For example, physical boundaries include personal space or privacy. In contrast, emotional boundaries might consist of saying “no” when you don’t want to do something or expressing your feelings honestly. Why are boundaries important? As mothers, it can be easy to neglect our own needs and focus solely on the needs of our children. We may feel guilty for putting our needs first. Still, it’s important to remember that setting boundaries are essential for maintaining healthy relationships, avoiding burnout, and reducing stress. When you don’t set boundaries, you might feel resentful or overwhelmed. You might feel like you’re always on call, and you might neglect your own needs. Setting boundaries allows you to care for yourself and your family healthily and sustainably. How can you start setting boundaries? Before you can set boundaries, knowing what’s important to you is crucial. Take some time to think about your values and priorities. What matters most to you? What are your non-negotiables? For example, you might value spending time with your family, caring for your health, or pursuing your career goals. Once you know what’s important to you, setting boundaries that align with your values is easier. This can also mean saying no to social invitations or activities that don’t align with our priorities or setting specific times for self-care and relaxation during the day. It’s also important to set boundaries on our emotional energy; for example, if we are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, it’s okay to take a step back and put a limit to protect our emotional well-being. Once you’ve identified your values and priorities, it’s essential to communicate your needs to others. This might mean saying “no” to requests that don’t align with your values or asking for help when needed. For example, if we feel overwhelmed, asking for help with household chores or child care is okay. (The one that I consistently neglect, and as a result – mommy turns into a monster…).Communication is key when it comes to setting boundaries. Be honest and clear about what you need, and be willing to listen to the needs of others. Mothers must set clear limits and consequences for their children’s behavior while being consistent and fair. This teaches children to respect boundaries and helps mothers maintain their limitations and avoid feeling overwhelmed. This can include setting specific times during the day to check our phones or social media and limiting our time spent on non-essential activities. Self-care is essential for setting and maintaining boundaries. When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to handle the demands of your life. This might mean taking a break when you’re feeling overwhelmed, getting enough sleep, or engaging in activities that bring you joy. Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially if you’re used to saying “yes” to everything. Start small by setting boundaries in one area of your life, such as work or social activities. Practice saying “no” to requests that don’t align with your values, and consistently enforce your boundaries. While boundaries are important, it’s also important to be flexible. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes you need to adjust your limits to accommodate unexpected events. It’s okay to re-evaluate and adapt them as needed. Setting boundaries isn’t just about saying no; it’s also about saying YES to the important things to us. In conclusion, setting boundaries is essential for your well-being and the well-being of your family. Saying “no” doesn’t mean you’re letting people down; it means taking care of yourself and your family, setting an example for our children, and teaching them the importance of self-care.
Our PreK homeschooling goals, tips, and ideas.
My kids are not school age, and preschool programs are not mandatory, so I don’t need permission to keep my kids at home. But still can consider myself a homeschooler (as I chose to keep preschool-age children at home rather than sending them to pre-k or daycare). Children grow up quickly, and we need to ensure that we allow them the opportunity to be kids for as long as possible. Preschool homeschooling gives my kids the ability to learn and play in the comfort of their own home – at their own pace. Having time to be with my daughter and my son one on one has been very productive. Opposed to frustrated and bored in class as the teacher tries to teach 25 children at different levels. Without distractions, we can explore more deeply topics that interest them. For the things that give them a hard time, I’m able to slow down, explain and demonstrate more thoroughly until it “clicks” for them using the learning style that works best for them. Bless the internet! I’ve googled several sources for what is needed to know by first grade. Now I am working on closing the assignments on the list a little at a time. Homeschooling – is a true commitment for parents. I spend a decent amount of time figuring out what we will do and setting up our mornings. But it’s incredibly fulfilling to watch them progress under your supervision and enjoy the process. PRE-K HOMESCHOOLING IDEAS WHAT WE CAN DO DURING THE DAY (EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT) Reading every day. It’s a great way to spend time together. Still, it also helps them learn essential literacy skills in communication, comprehension, vocabulary. We are aiming for 15-20 minutes every day. We play. Sometimes it’s hard to be in two places simultaneously as my kids tear me apart. My daughter wants to play with dolls while my son is all about cars. But there are times that we use magnetics or lego, and oh boy, it’s so peaceful at those moments 🙂 Playing gives kids the opportunity to use their imagination, be creative, improve fine and gross motor skills, gain problem-solving skills. Do household chores together. Children are very eager to act like grown-ups and help around the house at this young age. For example, my kids like mop the floors, vacuum, and cook together. Demonstrating them how to do things like folding t-shirts, cleaning up and putting away their toys, taking care of pets make them feel valued and appreciated, not to mention help them gain essential life skills. Go outside explore. We learn about nature by going for a walk at our local parks, exploring science and art at museums, coming eye-to-eye with animals at the zoo, and so much more. Use toys and technology to help them learn. Puzzles, board games, seed growing kits, kids microscope, kids globe, abacus. Even tablets and phones. My daughter learned her ABC just in three weeks using one of the “games” (it’s not really a game but was made to keep the child entertained while teaching them the alphabet). Plus, being computer literate will help children tremendously now and in the future. Math Language arts (phonics, reading, writing) Art (drawing, coloring, arts & crafts) My PreK homeschooling goals look something like this: Academic skills: writing, reading, counting. Nailing down their letters, sounds, and words. Visually identify all the letters and their sounds. Match words that rhyme using listening skills. Count in order by 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s and recognize numbers. Basic addition and subtraction. Know the order of days of a week, times of a day. Identifying colors and shapes. Show creativity and imagination Identify Feelings & Control Emotions. Active listening Table manners Also, each year I want them to have an assignment: to take a camera and snap 15 pictures of things that are important/special to them. Seeing in years what they chose is really sweet and funny. After they come back with their 15 pictures, we will print them and paste them into a book. This year I’ll help them spell a sentence they want to go with each page. I’m sure next year they will be able to do so themselves 🙂 Preschool Homeschooling Tips Just have fun learning together. This is a wonderful time. While your homeschool routine should be very casual, providing that kids know to expect activities at certain times of the day is vital. Your homeschool Pre-k curriculum can be as complicated or as simple as you want but give your kids a solid foundation in all core areas. Help prepare them to learn more advanced concepts in the years to come. Set goals for your kid and create a homeschool schedule. Include fun in your schedules, like hands-on activities and field trips. For a kid of preschool age to homeschool for 1.5-2 hours at most. It’s up to you if you do it in the morning or afternoon or perhaps even break up your homeschool day into 15-20 minute increments. Find what works best for your kid and make any necessary changes along the way. I hope this list gives you a solid jumping-off point for beginning your search for what is best for you and your family. Our plan is to take things year by year. But, for now, I really feel good about the way things are going, and I’m excited to see where things lead! I find it comforting that all of us are doing the best we can to find the right choice for our families that match our lifestyles and beliefs AND that we can change the course we are on as we go.
Separation Anxiety in Children. A growth spurt or a disorder?
Difference between “normal” separation anxiety and a disorder. How to know separation anxiety is more than just a worry and what to do to help our worried children cope with their anxieties? It’s reasonable for young children to not want to be too far from us. Survival instincts inform our little ones that too much time or distance between them and us is an unsafe thing. The intensity of this ‘normal anxiety’ varies depending on the child’s temperament and how their caregivers responsive to the need for comfort and intimacy. Separation Anxiety Disorder is a different story. It mostly occurs later, causes more upset, and impacts the child’s functioning. The anxiety is simply too much. Instead of assisting to protect the child, it impairs and distresses. Psychiatrists describe Separation Anxiety Disorder as developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety concerning separation from home or from primary caregivers if three or more of these is checked: repetitive, excessive distress when separation from home or primary caregivers is expected persistent and excessive worry about losing caregivers or about possible harm coming to them persistent and excessive worry that an unfortunate event will lead to separation from a primary caregiver (like getting lost) persistent hesitation or refusal to go anywhere because of these separation fears persistently and extremely fearful or hesitant to be alone or without significant ones at home or in other settings refusal or persistent reluctance to go to sleep without being near a primary caregiver or to sleep away from home recurred nightmares involving separation themes when separation from a primary caregiver occurs, recurred complaints of headaches, stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, etc., According to Dr. Kaylene Henderson, these symptoms must last for at least a month and cause impairment of functioning and significant distress to be considered a disorder. While it can happen earlier, the most common age is 7-8-year-olds. Why does it happen in some kids? The causes are many and varied, like in most mental health issues. Factors that might contribute: shy inhibited temperament, genetic vulnerability to anxiety, parental divorce, a recent death in the family, or illness. The presentation of separation anxiety disorder varies: school refusal, hesitation in going to school camps or friends’ houses without a parent, insisting on sharing their parent’s bed, nightmares, or following family members around the house. Some kids will become tearful when separated from their parents; others will get tantrums, become aggressive, nervous. WHAT IF YOUR KID BELONGS TO THE SECOND “TEAM”: Ask your child’s General Practitioner for an assessment, who can then refer to a Child Psychiatrist or Psychologist, depending on your child’s needs. As with any health issue, the earlier that intervention is sought, the quicker recovery will occur.
Shy No More
Don’t let shyness get in the way of your child’s socialization. Try these gentle strategies to ease your child into being more comfortable in new and different situations. THE SHYNESS FACTOR We all want our children to be happy, outgoing little people at whatever age they happen to be. But some children are just naturally shy. They have difficulty making and keeping friends, and they are reluctant to try new things. When it comes to explaining the shyness factor, there are two camps – one side says that shyness is genetic, and the other claims that it is learned behavior. For parents, it’s more than a little confusing. Many of us with more than one child often have gregarious and exuberant and another who is timid and almost painfully shy. We don’t love the shy one any less, but we’d really like them to break out of their cocoon a little more. MONKEY REFLECT Some children’s shyness may also be connected to underlying fears and anxieties. Even at a very young age, some worry about what others may care or say about them. As parents, we can try and reassure them that there is little to fear. Still, they may need more attention to provide them with a sense of security and safety as they venture out into the world. One of the best things we can do is model our own positive behaviors in trying out new things or participating in different activities. If we show them that the fun is doing and not the result, it gives them more confidence to try new things. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS An excellent strategy to help younger children who are shy is to organize play dates with one or two other children with whom they may already feel comfortable. As their confidence grows, you can introduce additional, new play partners. Helping your young child see the importance of building and maintaining friendships is another helpful technique. If you have taught them good manners, that will help smooth their way. Remember, too, that they are paying close attention to how you react to situations. Even if things don’t go well at first when you are doing something, if you remain calm and try it again, they may. REWARD You can help older children who are shy by utilizing positive behavior management techniques to reward them for trying new things or overcoming their fears. These can be as simple as an extra hour a week of watching TV or playing their video games if they agree to work outside their comfort zone. They can then decide for themselves whether or not they want the extra privileges, and they certainly can’t blame you if they don’t follow through. One of the side benefits of such an approach is that they learn they are responsible for their own actions and positively influence their own situation. For shy children, this is very empowering and can really work well to build their confidence to deal with other cases. GROW AT YOUR OWN PACE Whatever approach you decide to pursue, for children of all ages who are shy or withdrawn, it should be implemented gradually and in stages. You must allow them time to learn how to interact positively with others and let them do so at their own pace. Some children will grow out of their shy stage early in life, and others may carry it with them forever. FAMOUS PEOPLE ARE THE KEY It’s also important to never let a child believe that their shyness is a problem. Point to hundreds of successful people who were once what they thought was incurably shy. Like Nicole Kidman, a shy child who admits to being terrified sometimes before she is asked to perform. Or Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison, which didn’t stop them from becoming two of the most brilliant people in history.
The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Gift Wrapping
The Christmas season is full of activities, from baking to decorating and, of course, buying the perfect gifts for family and friends. Now that holiday shopping is done, it’s time to wrap those presents. Is there anything more comforting than a well-wrapped present?! Since I was little, I wished to make my gifts look elegant and stunning, slickly wrapped in thick, beautifully patterned wrapping paper. Instead, they were dull and always looked like some toddler’s craft, or my dog has its teeth on it. (And I don’t have a dog…). When I was looking for gift wrapping posts and advice, all I found are sayings like: “Don’t panic. There are plenty of unique ways to wrap presents beautifully”. And then a long list of perfectly wrapped gifts with another long list of ideas on how to decorate them to look even fancier. But none of those designs revealed how they wrapped that f$#%$$%^ing piece of paper, for God’s sake! I really did give up trying to make my gifts look beautiful under the tree, and you could always say, where is mine. Their presents moto: “When giving a gift from your heart, an important component is your thoughtfulness in its presentation. You want to show your love for that person. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but that extra touch is so special”. My presents: look all rumpled and bulky. But Gift wrapping is still a part of my soul, something I clearly enjoy doing, and I can’t get enough of it, LOL. SO I’m still trying to nail it, and I want to improve the appearance of my gifts this year. That’s the least I can do to improve this year at all, LOL. SO here are techniques I found would be easy on my two left hands, and I’ll give them a try before giving up for good.Happy wrapping, everyone The easiest and MUST Tried method: the Diagonal Wrapping Method. It’s just what it sounds like. Turn your gift at an angle of 45 degrees rather than placing it in the middle. It’s how Subway sandwich is wrapped. Turning the paper 45 degrees, you move all the extra dead space in the corners to form the longest part of your sheet, which easily folds across and makes a comfortable overlap zone with the opposite flap. It’s how envelopes are made. You can pull up each corner. And cover every corner of your box back to where you’re going to start. So starting with the corner closest to you, you’re just going to pull this up and over your box. How do you measure wrapping paper for diagonal wrapping? Measure your gift’s height as well as the longest diagonal. Just use a piece of string to get the rough measurement. Cut a square piece of paper, the sides of which equal the diagonal of the box plus one and a half times its height. Next, place the gift diagonally in the middle. Basic geometric principles explain how it works. Japanese Wrapping Method Contemporary Japanese style gift wrapping is rather like origami in that it follows a strict sequence of precise folds. The beauty of it is that once you have got used to the basic technique, you can be more experimental, incorporating intricate pleats and decorations. Furoshiki Gift Wrap Or fabric wrap, in other words. If all that folding and decorating seems like too much effort, you might prefer the more traditional form of Japanese gift wrapping, Furoshiki. This involves using Furoshiki (a Japanese gift wrapping cloth) to wrap gifts in a bundle. It’s far more straightforward and, because the fabric can be reused, it’s more environmentally friendly –, and the recipient gets an extra gift. You will need: Furoshiki… and that’s all! A fab idea for odd-shaped gifts not fitting a box! Get a big enough piece of fabric and tie it in a place like a big sack! Oddly-Shaped Gifts Some gifts don’t work with traditional wrapping methods. You can use a gift bag and some tissue paper and call it done. Or put the present in a box and wrap that. But what if you have only paper? No worries. If you still failed Who cares! It’s not the reason to ruin your Christmas mood! Just switch to Fabric Gift Bags and never look back. Put a Bow on It or Bow Perfection Nothing pulls together a gift wrapping project like a bow. But “the store-bought bows that you can buy in a bag really won’t do the job, though“, – Oh, really??? SCREW YOU!!! I’ve just spent my entire day learning to wrap the paper around the tiny box, and the store-bought bow is exactly what I need right now! Now when your gifts look decent in that paper over them, time to dress them up. DRESSING UP I won’t share designs that just different colors wrap paper. You could figure those mix and match yourself. I’m listing the ones that really need some fantasy come up with because, for example, I wouldn’t think of sticking a pom pom or dishwashing brush (that’s the last item I would ever think of… You can even substitute it for toilet brush to those “most fav” guests ) to my gifts or spray a gold paint glitter over to look it sparkling and expensive. Rainbow Strings (Source: Tikkido ) Use tape instead of trying to hold all of the ribbons together and tie a bow. Use a dollar store toy or ornament in the middle to tie the gift together. Hand-Painted (Source: Cakies) Let out your inner artist. Create some beautiful Christmas scenes using paints.The perfect option for a lazy gift wrapper. Just take brown paper and paint it on your own bow. Or traditional Christmas scenes and shapes, carol lyrics. (Source: GROWING SPACES) Tiny, bottle-brush tree atop a doodled car looks like carrying a Christmas tree home. You can wrap a bar of soap or jewelry box. Little Black Dress. Sorry, box… There’s something so stylish about keeping it simple than things that shine brighter or try harder. Use a color out of the ordinary for Christmas to make a bold statement. This idea is easy, but it is still so exquisite. (Source: Going Home to Roost) You can put your drawing skills to the test with a little freehand design made in a white paint pen. Or write whatever personalized message you like using chalk and finish with twine or a ribbon. Love the chalkboard look for gift wrapping. So unique. It makes the gifts look personalized. Get these black wrapping paper and white markers. They’re perfect for this look below. (Source: PopSugar)The flat black backdrop is the perfect showcase for a sprig of mistletoe with white berries. For those who enjoyed the sprig approach. White on white Another bold statement. A timeless and elegant look that will always be in style. White on white gift wrapping! Kid-Friendly (Source: Burlap + Blue) Here is a kid-friendly gift wrapping idea. Let your kids make their own custom paper with their own set of colors. They’ll know right away which gifts under the tree are for them! (Source: Lines Across) Loving it! The fact that kids can play with their presents before they even unwrap them is incredible! Perfect for toddlers. Greetings from a penguin, reindeer, or polar bear? Why not! Use scissors and a circle punch to snip out the pieces you need from colored paper. Get the tutorials.» Another kid-friendly idea. The yellow paper is the background for these emoji-face presents. They’re too cute to unwrap, aren’t they? Get the tutorial at Studio DIY » Grocery Bag Repurpose (Source: A Creative Min) This is an easy and fast way to be merry with your gift wrapping without spending much money! Use stamps to make your own custom paper on a plain brown bag or find bags that use their own holiday print. Pine Tree Printable (Source: Homey Oh My) Gorgeous gift wrap, and best of all — you can download this free pine tree printable to wrap your gifts at home. Simple & cute Source: Monika Hibbs) This gold deer is SOOOO cute! The gold and blush pink color palette totally rock it. Christmas-tree-inspired (Source: More Than Ideas) Nice one to wrap presents that looks just like a Christmas tree! Here’s a tutorial. Adorable gift wrap idea. Use oversized jingle bells. You can spray paint whatever bells you find in the color you want to suit your Christmas tree color scheme. Add an accent to presents with colorful holiday lights: to form a star shape, hot-glue six bulbs together. Then with double-stick tape, fasten the bauble to a length of ribbon. Match your gifts with the tree using miniature baubles in the same color scheme. Double up with a soft velvet ribbon in a similar hue Sweet treat A sweet idea for those with a sweet tooth. Slip a lollypop or a candy cane under the twine and watch them melt with a smile as you hand over this treasure. Plain white paper with swirl lollipops or tree cuttings is the perfect backdrop. Crooks of candy canes look just like the rails on Santa’s sleigh. Another genius idea gluing on honeycomb ornaments. Get the tutorial at Country Living Label maker I love this wrap idea so much, perhaps due to its retro vibe or just the simplicity of this idea. Natural Gift Toppers Try something seasonal instead of the traditional gift bows like pinecones, branches, sprigs. Plus, they pop against plain brown parcel paper.As a bonus, you might get a sweet fragrance depending on what you use, too. Subtle references to nature. Pine cones, cinnamon sticks, or sprig against a simple black or white wrap rocks! Natural twine or recycled paper gift tags complete the look. Use a rustic pouch as an easier solution for jam jars and other circular items. Get the tutorial at In the Fields » Totally in love with this mini wreath, craft paper, and hessian look! The balance of rustic, earthy, and elegant. Add a tiny wreath to the box skipping the paper. Or rosemary sprigs have just the right amount of bend if soaked briefly in water. (Source: Eslamoda)Brown paper and black ribbon as a perfect backdrop for a pine sprig = the ultimate note of holiday spirit. The time you’ll spend to wrap this present show that the gift you’re giving is from the heart. Glitter bomb Don’t tell me this glitter look didn’t do it for you! This OTT glitter bomb idea will turn these plain branches and craft paper into exquisite Christmas gift wrapping! When in doubt, spray it with gold! If your present sucks, spray it with gold 🙂 Cookie Tags Yummo, here’s another tasty gift wrapping idea — this time using homemade gingerbread biscuits. Gingerbread cookie + icing + piping gift recipient’s name. Get the recipe for Gingerbread Cookies Road Map This wrapping paper shows that Life is a journey in the most charming way. Use a road map to wrap your gifts in it. Everything is kept in place by pulling a piece of thread through a vintage button for a cute take on a bow. Star Gift Boxes Keep it a mystery with three-dimensional boxes to disguise a present’s telltale shape. Bonus: double as decorations. Tutorial at A Pair & a Spare Button-Down Wrap your gift in a plaid shirt = giving two gifts in one. Get the tutorial at Country Living. Bow Overload Swap a lonely store-bought sticker by covering the entire top of a gift box in monochromatic bows. Gift-Card Envelope Alternatives By tailoring the wrap to the item, make a gift card more personal. Puzzled I bet you have at least one jigsaw puzzle that missing a few pieces. Give them another life (they are not useful anymore anyway). Paint them black with chalkboard paint, and they look like gift tags. Voila! Final Tips The organization is key. Gift-wrapping is no exception. Keep your paper, bows, ribbons, tape, and whatever else you use in one place, so when it’s time, you don’t have to hunt all over the house or use your cat’s dry food box as a gift box. Double-sided tape. Using that instead of the standard tape helps create a more polished look. When you have everything you need for...
32 Incredible and Innovative Christmas Cookies to Make This Season
You can say cookies are the best part of Christmas. Whether you’re making them for Santa, a party, kids Christmas craft or just a cozy night in. But this year is, how to say it – unique…and so should be the holidays or the way we accessorize them. Why not take a traditional cookie recipe and turn it into something new, even if it’s just visually. Aren’t we ok with changes lately? Why stop now 🙂 Look at these beauties listed below! So many yummy cookies to make this holiday season!!! And you bet I’ll try them all. CHRISTMAS COOKIES. READY.SET.GO! 1. Lavender Shortbread with Fruits, Flowers, and Herbs Candied herbs, edible dried flowers, and freeze-dried berries are beautiful decorations for these iced cookie wreaths by Bonappetit. 2. Ancho Mole Cookies How about a deconstructed Mexican mole visually inspired by the Mesoamerican pyramids? Hold these cookies up to the light to appreciate the stained-glass effect of the dried fruit. And inside? Chocolate, hazelnuts, the subtle burn of ancho chile…Thank you Bonappetit! 3. Hazelnut Lace Sandwich Cookies These cookies by Oliveandmango are fantastic on their own if you think the hazelnut spread may be a little too much. They are simple to make and it’s almost magical watching them bubble wildly and expand and flatten in the oven as they bake. 4. Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies by MakingThymeforHealth made with whole-grain oatmeal, these breakfast cookies are packed with flavors of a classic Morning Glory muffin! Exactly what we all need after Christmas Eve 😉 5. Raspberry Rugelach These bright, sweet-tart beauties by Bonappetit are the perfect addition to the typical cookie plate. Adding orange zest and salt to store-bought jam gives the filling an extra dimension of flavor without creating a lot of extra fuss. 6. Alfajores With Coconut Dulce de Leche The traditional South American honey-almond cookie by Bonappetit gets a tropical twist thanks to a decadent yet shockingly easy coconut dulce de leche, oozing between two shortbread cookies. Top it with a blanket of brightly dyed coconut flakes and suddenly you’re on a beach far, far away. 7. Almond Cookies The cookies are crisp, light, and laced with almond and cream cheese. Sweet, but not too sweet. 8. Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls The traditional German holiday lebkuchen by TasteofHome—with a surprise inside. Maraschino cherries add a sweet and unexpected punch to the holiday spice of gingersnaps. 9. Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies Ring in the holidays with these peppermint crinkle cookies that will be a hit at your holiday parties. Choose between crinkled ones by Joyfullymad or white chocolate peppermint cookies by Foodtasticmom. 10. Red Velvet Cookies w/ Cream Cheese Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting in cookie form by Sallysbakingaddiction. Cream cheese stuffed red velvet cookies will be the talk of the town on every holiday cookie tray this year. 11. Anise & Wine Cookies – These wine cookies by TasteofHome already add a festive tone just by eating them. They are crisp and best eaten after being dunked in even more wine. 12. Chocolate Fruit N Nut Cookies Filled with fruit, nuts, chocolate, and loads of flavor, these traditional Italian treats by TasteofHome hit the spot. We enjoy them at Christmas with a hot beverage. 13. Tender Italian Sugar Cookies These traditional Italian cookies by TasteofHome are moist and tender. 14. Cannoli Wafer Sandwiches The cannoli by TasteofHome will be among your favorites! Best served the same day so the wafers are still nice and crisp. 15. Almond-Ricotta Twists Almond-Ricotta Twists by TasteofHome drizzled with melted white chocolate or chocolate chips. 16. Gingerbread Teddy Bears Classic gingerbread cookies by ThreeScoopsofSugar. Whether or not you actually like gingerbread cookies is kinda irrelevant. You make them every single year because they make people happy. These soft and chewy gingerbread cookies would be great gifts for neighbors and friends! But this year why not change their look and go for teddies? 🙂 17. Christmas Thumbprint Cookies Shortbread thumbprint cookies are a must-have treat to have on a Christmas table but let’s serve them a little differently. Try either Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies by Bonappetit or Orange Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprints by Pillsbury. 18. Christmas Coconut Snowball Cookies Buttery soft snowball cookies are melt-in-your-mouth, delicious coconut cookies rolled in powdered sugar. They will be perfect for your Christmas cookie tray! But try a new version Coconut-Lime Snowballs by Bonappetit. 19. Cinnamon Roll Cookies Bite-sized rolled homemade cinnamon roll cookies by SallysBakingAddiction with a buttery cinnamon sugar filling and vanilla icing drizzle. They’re soft in the centers with slightly crisp edges and taste like a cookie version of cinnamon rolls! 20. Copy Cat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies Lofthouse Sugar Cookies are a horse of a different color. Soft and chewy, topped with frosting, these cookies are a copycat recipe of the much-loved store-bought ones. If you’ve never had them, Lofthouse sugar cookies by Wholefully aren’t like your typical sugar cookie—they are somewhere in a glorious gray area between a cookie and a cupcake. They are fluffy, airy, cake-like, and have a nice, thick layer of brightly-colored buttercream frosting that is almost always covered in adorable sprinkles. It’s basically like if you took the top of a cupcake and smushed it into a cookie, you’d get Lofthouse cookies. 21. Candy Cane Kiss Sugar Cookies The pepperminty cookie dough topped with a Candy Cane Kiss by Recipegirl 22. Peppermint-OREO Cookie Balls Peppermint Oreos are combined with cream cheese and crushed candy canes and dipped in candy melts to create Peppermint Oreo Balls by MyBakingAddiction. They’re simple, festive, and so delicious. 23. Chocolate Reindeer Cookies Chocolate Reindeer Cookies by Like Mother Like Daughter with pretzel antlers are the perfect festive treat for Christmas. Guaranteed to please kids of all ages. They’re topped with a mini vanilla wafer cookie, m&m, candy eyes, and mini pretzels for the antlers. 24. Raspberry Ribbons These Raspberry Ribbon Cookies by CreationsbyKara are so pretty on holiday cookie trays, and they are melt in your mouth delicious. Always a crowd-pleaser! 25. Crystallized Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies This recipe by TasteofHome is the best of two worlds—gingerbread and chocolate chip cookies. Since they’re combined, you don’t have to choose between them. 26. Ugly Sweater Cookies These Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies by ParsnipsandPastries are actually adorable and fun, unique addition to your holiday festivities! Made with buttery vanilla and anise-infused spiced cookie dough. 27. Ooey-Gooey Turtle Bars Gooey is right! Chocolate, caramel, and pecans make up the decadent topping that covers a rich, buttery crust. And just one bite of these sensational bars by Pillsbury will have you saying ‘OOH IT’S SO GOOD!!’ 28. Santa Hat Cookies Make a festive addition to your holiday buffet with JELL-O Santa Hat Cookies by MyFoodandFamily. These Santa hat cookies are just as yummy as they are adorable. 29. Santa’s Belly Cookies These fun and festive cookies by Pillsbury are sure to add a little bit of jolly to your holiday! Also great to leave out for Santa and his helpers. 30. Chocolate-Hazelnut-Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies These cookies by Pillsbury are over-the-top delicious! Dipping the cookie dough in semisweet chocolate and topping it with chopped hazelnuts gives them an extra-special look. 31. Easy Meringue Cookies These beautiful meringue cookies by PreppyKitchen are light as air, perfectly sweet, and delicious meringue cookies and beyond easy to make but oh so beautiful. 32. Christmas Candy Cane Cookies This Christmas Candy Cane Cookies recipe by HomeCookingMemories made from a simple cookie dough recipe, with plenty of festive peppermint flavor, the colorful dough is twisted to look like a real candy cane. Always a favorite at Christmas parties and cookie exchanges. CHRISTMAS COOKIE TIPS All of those recipes above include tips in the posts, but here are some general cookies tips: Many cookies can be kept for about a week when stored in an airtight container. Putting a piece of white bread in the container helps keep the cookies soft. Cookie dough can be stored for up to 3 months if frozen. Keeping a ready-to-bake dough on hand will give you a freshly baked treat for any event. Don’t underestimate parchment paper; it keeps the cookies from sticking and makes for easy cleanup. HOW TO PACKAGE CHRISTMAS COOKIES But that’s not it: your holiday cookies call for extra love—put some extra love into its wrapping too. It’s all about the presentation. Try these creative ideas for packing: The easiest way is to put the cookies in a store-bought holiday box or bin. Accessorize it with a holiday napkin before placing the cookies inside. Pile a mug or wide juice glass high with cookies, and remind guests that they can fill the glass with milk for dunking. Dress everyday items, such as recycled paper egg cartons or takeout boxes, with holiday decorations. Use colorful muffin liners to individually pack your Christmas cookies. Heap cookies into inexpensive tins lined with tissue or parchment paper (retro tins with holiday scenes, galvanized tins, or red and silver tins). Stack cookies onto a pretty saucer from a flea market, wrap with cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Bake cookies the same size and stack them in a jar. Cover the lid with Christmas themed fabric or paper. Dress it up with a ribbon around the jar. Also, Small mason jars are great for holding tiny treats such as candies or nuts. Dress up a plain jar with a patterned lid and a pretty bow. Tinfoil and wax paper boxes are the perfect sizes for holding a stack of cookies. Use decorative paper to wrap and tie tight with a string. (make sure you cover or remove the sharp edge). A brown lunch bag is perfect due to its simplicity. Fold the top over and make two holes. Thread a simple ribbon, tulle or raffia through, , tie the top closed.
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